Improvement in chairs and desks combined



E. J. SMITH.

Improvement in Seatsand` Desks Cmbined.

Patented June 25. 1872.

PATENT OFFICE.

FLDRIDGE J. SMITH, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF-OOLUMBIA.

IMPROVEMENT IN CHAIRS AND DESKS COMBINED.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 128,432, dated J une 25, 1872.

Specication describing certain Improvements in Adjustable Chair and Desk Oombined, invented by ELDRIDGE J. SMITH,- of Washington, District of Columbia.

VThe first part of my invention relates to an adjustable seat clamped to the standard or frame thereof, so constructed as to enable the seat to be raised or lowered at pleasure, and enabling the changing of the seat from horizontal to any inclination; and when not in use the same to be placed in vertical position. The second part of my invention relates to an adjustable reversible desk, which is attached to the two standards forming the back of the seat by a clamp.

Figure lrepresents a front view of the chair or seat; Fig. 2, a side view of the same with the writing-desk at the back, and'showin g how the desk is easily attached or detached by the lugs on the lower side of the desk sliding into the slots at the top of the chair; also how the seat can be raised or lowered by shifting the projecting lugs of the frame of the seat to any ofthe notches in the side frame of the chair;

andthe seat can be placed in an upright or horizontal position whenever required. Fig. 3 is a side view of the shape of the frame ofthe seat with its projecting lugs and shoulder at the side. Fig. 4 shows the slots in the top of the frame of the chair, into which the lugs of thedesk slide. Fig. 5 shows how the desk is attached to the chair when it is to be used as a writing-desk. Fig. 6 shows the rear end of the desk with its metallic plate, the top ends of which are lugs or fastenings. Fig. 7 is atop view of the plate, showing the shape of the lugs or square fastenings that slide into the slots of the top of the frame of the chair and hold the desk in a horizontal position.

A A is the frame of the adjustable chair and seat combined; B, adjustable seat secured to the frame vby the lugs or ears O O, projecting outwardly at the ends of the arms or brace D D. The said lugs or ears are made to catch on the inner side of the sides forming the slots E E, and when the adjustable seat is placed in horizontal position for use, the lugs binding or clamping the inner side of the seat, as aforesaid, and the shoulders F F, being projections from the outer surface of the braces D D, bears upon the outer surface of the frame or standard B B, so that the friction caused thereby prevents the seat from slipping or sliding from its position. To render this more impossible the inner or outer surface of the side forming the slots E E are provided with ratchets or notches, into which the lugs O C catch. At the lower 'part of the outer surface forming the slots E E, and projecting inwardly at right angles with the frame or standard A A, are the arms G G, so that when the seat is in a vertical position the ends of the braces D D rest thereon, and the lugs C O are free to slide downward into the slots E E. At the lower part of the outer surface of the slots E E, or at that point where the shoulders F F bear upon the frame or standardlof the chair, the surface is raised, so that when the seat is lowered, the shoulders F F coming in contact with the raised surface, as aforesaid, throws the seat from the horizontal position, so as to incline inwardly.

It is contemplated to use slats of wood or other material or cushions for the seats and back; and this device can be used either in seating one person, or can be lengthened so as to seat two or more persons. One of the peculiarities of this device is the facility with which the frame of the chair can Vbe either placed close together or at greater distance apart; or even one standard could be used in constructing a seat for one person.

At the top and rear ofthe standard forming the frame of the chair is secured the adjustable desk H, in this manner: To the back of the desk is secured the metallic plate J, which is provided with lugs or ears K K at its upper corners; and with projections or bearings L L projecting from its lower corner, and ilush with the plate. In placing the desk in position, as seen in Fig. 5, the lugs K K slide into the slots M M formed in the top of the standard or frame B B. The slots are provided on one side with notchesv O O, into which the arms or bearings L L catch. It will be seen that, by the clamping pressure upon the bearings L L, they are pressed and held in the notches O O until relieved by tilting the desk upward from its horizontal position, when it can be adjusted to any other position, or can be removed entirely. To the bottom of the adjustable desk H are secured the lugs N N, arranged so as to slip into the slots F F. In reversing the desk, if desired, the bearings could be provided to t into the notches so as to adjust the desk in 2 'mense :my desired height. When the desk is in its reversed position it can be used as book-rack, or for other purposes; or the leaf thereof used for :t writing-desk.

Claims.

I claim as my invention- 1. The combination of the chair-seat B having,` the arms D, lugs C, and shoulders F, with the fra-me A having slots E provided with 

